Big or Small Family?

I'm a very family-oriented person. I love my family more than anyone else loves their family. For most of my life, it was always the five of us. Everyone was home, and there were no blurred lines. My dad’s parents lived a block and a half away. I saw them almost every day. I saw my mom’s parents once or twice a year because they live in Wisconsin. Ever since my Cooperstown grandparents died, it has really felt like we are just a five-person squad. I love my aunts and uncles, but they live far away, and we don’t see them often. For my graduation last year, I didn’t have a graduation party or any family events. This past week, I was swept up in my girlfriend Violet’s graduation extravaganza. Her family is very different from mine in the best way possible. When my family chose to withhold invites and celebrate just the four of us, Violet’s family came from all over the place to come together for a special event. For my graduation, Phoebe wasn’t even there! I was welcomed with open arms and had a great time at each lunch and dinner. It was a bunch of large happy gatherings of sharing good food and even better stories. It makes me wonder if I would change my whole family dynamic. Do I want it to be more than the five/four of us celebrating something? Do I wish I had the Cooperstown classic and have five cousins live on my street? Yeah, probably and absolutely not. I would change some things. I wish I could see my extended family a little more. When all my friends have family visits and are busy for a week, it doesn’t really make me jealous. It’s a tough pick. I don’t like being annoyed. I don’t like being bothered. I definitely miss my grandparents. I’d take them back in a heartbeat. I would’ve loved to celebrate with my grandma when I got into college. Hand her a shot of Grey Goose or something! In conclusion, I would love to have more family, and I would hate to have more family. I’d pick a mix of both. If I could make them disappear when I wanted, bring on the forty-five aunts and twice-removed adopted cousins. I want my kids to see my sisters all the time. My sisters are great and could teach my kids good lessons. They’d be great aunties. Sorry for the late post with shitty grammar. I’m at a Dreams Park game trying to get this done. Go Blue! Happy Monday!